Korean washing machine under fire from environmental groups

Samsung's Silver Care Washing Machine

U.S., Europe sees protests, measures posed against Samsung model

A South Korean washing machine is under global spotlight, as the U.S.and some European countries are raising concerns about its possible negative impact on the environment. The charge is that Samsung Electronics' "Silver Care Washing Machine," credited by its makers for its sterilizing function, produces runoff that could kill even beneficial bacteria or microorganisms when it flows into streams or rivers.

Last month, a Swedish radio program dealt with the environmental impact of the silver care model, as well as moves by customers in Stockholm to boycott the Samsung model. The controversy is feared to deal a potential blow to Samsung following a backlash in the South Korean market last year, as well.

Samsung unveiled the washing machine in March 2003, and it received a great deal of attention for its unique washing method using silver ions to remove bacteria and other harmful elements from laundered items. The machine is also known to be effective in cold water. The machine uses a 99.9% sterling silver plate located inside the machine and emits 400 billion nano-sized silver ions during each laundering process in order to sterilize fabrics, according to Samsung. But in November last year, the state-run Consumer Protection Board said that the washing machine has no merits in terms of sterilization when compared with ordinary models.

Regarding the strong backlash in Europe against the silver ion model, Samsung said that the controversy is groundless, calling it a tactic designed to tarnish its product image. "There is no problem with the laundry machine model since it has passed 'no-harm' environmental tests in four countries, including South Korea," a Samsung official said.

Separately, the U.S. government plans to toughen its safety guidelines for consumer electronics imports. Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency decided to limit the level of silver content in consumer products, a move apparently designed to draw up safety guidelines for safe use of the element. Meanwhile, Samsung says that it is preparing documents that prove its silver ion model poses no environmental harm in order to meet U.S. standards.

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